Discussion
Cheburator mk2 said:
My GTS has had one from new and still required a full on bare metal/interior out/engine/chassis off restoration because despite looking after it, the PO hammered it on his Dorset-London and London-Zug commute.
My ex-German LHD GTS had 220k on the clock when I bought it and 9 owners and was super reliable. One fuse and one fuel pump was all went wrong in another 60k road miles before I built a race car out of it...
Buy on condition and recent maintenance, not on what has happened in 1990 and whether a lord was its first owner...
Fair points thank youMy ex-German LHD GTS had 220k on the clock when I bought it and 9 owners and was super reliable. One fuse and one fuel pump was all went wrong in another 60k road miles before I built a race car out of it...
Buy on condition and recent maintenance, not on what has happened in 1990 and whether a lord was its first owner...
Slightly concerned it doesn’t seem to have had the cambelt changed when it should have done but by the same account it has barely been used either.
Is that an issue if I just make it the first job that is done?
Nope - it’s a not a problem at all. One thing to watch out for with cam belts - their sprockets wear out due to incorrect tension as well as mileage. As they wear out their teeth “sharpen up” and can wear out the belt a lot quicker than the 40-60k that’s the norm. A new set of sprockets from Porsche is about £800 - the good news is that Porsche has re-engineered the metal and now they should last easily 100k +. The bad news is that on a higher mileage car with a patchy history, they may be due. You can source alternative sprockets from the US - 928RuS have also developed a viable and cheaper solution. Good sprockets should have matte anosdised finish. Worn sprockets would have shiny teeth with sharp edges. Hope that helps.
Alex
Alex
535dBoy said:
Fair points thank you
Slightly concerned it doesn’t seem to have had the cambelt changed when it should have done but by the same account it has barely been used either.
Is that an issue if I just make it the first job that is done?
You need to plan on getting it changed and also expect to change the gears. The gears were pretty expensive so the job ended up costing me about $3000 and that was about 5-6 years ago. Slightly concerned it doesn’t seem to have had the cambelt changed when it should have done but by the same account it has barely been used either.
Is that an issue if I just make it the first job that is done?
I echo the suggestions of spending at least £15k, maybe a little more. Otherwise you could find yourself in my position, where a £7k car with a 'bit of rust' turned into a £20k body restoration. It's sorted now and seems pretty bulletproof in terms of engine and build quality but I regret not just spending more to begin with. I fell in love with the back story and pasha seats in mine!
Took 2 adults to Denmark in it and although cosy, it was practical enough with luggage. I love the fact its rare, so well built and ahead of its time (integrated bumpers in 1978?). Controversially I prefer it to my old 3.2 Carrera!
Took 2 adults to Denmark in it and although cosy, it was practical enough with luggage. I love the fact its rare, so well built and ahead of its time (integrated bumpers in 1978?). Controversially I prefer it to my old 3.2 Carrera!
Claret Badger said:
I echo the suggestions of spending at least £15k, maybe a little more. Otherwise you could find yourself in my position, where a £7k car with a 'bit of rust' turned into a £20k body restoration. It's sorted now and seems pretty bulletproof in terms of engine and build quality but I regret not just spending more to begin with. I fell in love with the back story and pasha seats in mine!
Took 2 adults to Denmark in it and although cosy, it was practical enough with luggage. I love the fact its rare, so well built and ahead of its time (integrated bumpers in 1978?). Controversially I prefer it to my old 3.2 Carrera!
That looks v nice indeed.Took 2 adults to Denmark in it and although cosy, it was practical enough with luggage. I love the fact its rare, so well built and ahead of its time (integrated bumpers in 1978?). Controversially I prefer it to my old 3.2 Carrera!
Agree with Cherburator that £15K can buy lots of deferred work.
I'd also add that generally parts availability is very good, with many items still available from Porsche direct. Unless you want a clutch for a 1987 S4 - I took the penultimate one about 2 years ago...
As usual with older cars, the body and trim bits are the really pricey parts - window seals seem particularly expensive.
But the whole package is much more fun than you might think for such a larger car with a big engine at the front. I don't go with the gearbox type suiting the car, I think it suits the individual - some like autos, some like manuals. I wouldn't want an auto, and the manual is absolutely fine - clutch is v light for what its doing.
Just get one, they're worth it!
As usual with older cars, the body and trim bits are the really pricey parts - window seals seem particularly expensive.
But the whole package is much more fun than you might think for such a larger car with a big engine at the front. I don't go with the gearbox type suiting the car, I think it suits the individual - some like autos, some like manuals. I wouldn't want an auto, and the manual is absolutely fine - clutch is v light for what its doing.
Just get one, they're worth it!
I think that I might sell mine as i've not driven it in at least 3 years. Prior to laying it up, it just got a new belt, tensioner, and gears.
In the 2-3 year before that. I put a new torque tube on, carriers, replaced all the fuel hoses , plugs and plug wires, intake manifold gasket and MAF, oil and trans flush. I don't even know how I remember all this.
I may have driven the car 2000 miles in the 9 or so years I've owned it. Guards red with black interior, seats are in Okay shape but dash is cracked (Texas car). It has a rebuilt title from an engine fire sometime early in its life but that's all been fixed. It's in okay shape but like any car that sat a long time, it's going to need going through. Tires might still have 1988 air in them.
What do you think an 88 S4 auto is worth these days?
In the 2-3 year before that. I put a new torque tube on, carriers, replaced all the fuel hoses , plugs and plug wires, intake manifold gasket and MAF, oil and trans flush. I don't even know how I remember all this.
I may have driven the car 2000 miles in the 9 or so years I've owned it. Guards red with black interior, seats are in Okay shape but dash is cracked (Texas car). It has a rebuilt title from an engine fire sometime early in its life but that's all been fixed. It's in okay shape but like any car that sat a long time, it's going to need going through. Tires might still have 1988 air in them.
What do you think an 88 S4 auto is worth these days?
alabbasi said:
I think that I might sell mine as i've not driven it in at least 3 years. Prior to laying it up, it just got a new belt, tensioner, and gears.
In the 2-3 year before that. I put a new torque tube on, carriers, replaced all the fuel hoses , plugs and plug wires, intake manifold gasket and MAF, oil and trans flush. I don't even know how I remember all this.
I may have driven the car 2000 miles in the 9 or so years I've owned it. Guards red with black interior, seats are in Okay shape but dash is cracked (Texas car). It has a rebuilt title from an engine fire sometime early in its life but that's all been fixed. It's in okay shape but like any car that sat a long time, it's going to need going through. Tires might still have 1988 air in them.
What do you think an 88 S4 auto is worth these days?
US mkt is very different from Europe/UKIn the 2-3 year before that. I put a new torque tube on, carriers, replaced all the fuel hoses , plugs and plug wires, intake manifold gasket and MAF, oil and trans flush. I don't even know how I remember all this.
I may have driven the car 2000 miles in the 9 or so years I've owned it. Guards red with black interior, seats are in Okay shape but dash is cracked (Texas car). It has a rebuilt title from an engine fire sometime early in its life but that's all been fixed. It's in okay shape but like any car that sat a long time, it's going to need going through. Tires might still have 1988 air in them.
What do you think an 88 S4 auto is worth these days?
BAT and Rennlist should be a good starting point....
Claret Badger said:
I echo the suggestions of spending at least £15k, maybe a little more. Otherwise you could find yourself in my position, where a £7k car with a 'bit of rust' turned into a £20k body restoration. It's sorted now and seems pretty bulletproof in terms of engine and build quality but I regret not just spending more to begin with. I fell in love with the back story and pasha seats in mine!
Took 2 adults to Denmark in it and although cosy, it was practical enough with luggage. I love the fact its rare, so well built and ahead of its time (integrated bumpers in 1978?). Controversially I prefer it to my old 3.2 Carrera!
that is gorgeous !!Took 2 adults to Denmark in it and although cosy, it was practical enough with luggage. I love the fact its rare, so well built and ahead of its time (integrated bumpers in 1978?). Controversially I prefer it to my old 3.2 Carrera!
Cheburator mk2 said:
alabbasi said:
I think that I might sell mine as i've not driven it in at least 3 years. Prior to laying it up, it just got a new belt, tensioner, and gears.
In the 2-3 year before that. I put a new torque tube on, carriers, replaced all the fuel hoses , plugs and plug wires, intake manifold gasket and MAF, oil and trans flush. I don't even know how I remember all this.
I may have driven the car 2000 miles in the 9 or so years I've owned it. Guards red with black interior, seats are in Okay shape but dash is cracked (Texas car). It has a rebuilt title from an engine fire sometime early in its life but that's all been fixed. It's in okay shape but like any car that sat a long time, it's going to need going through. Tires might still have 1988 air in them.
What do you think an 88 S4 auto is worth these days?
US mkt is very different from Europe/UKIn the 2-3 year before that. I put a new torque tube on, carriers, replaced all the fuel hoses , plugs and plug wires, intake manifold gasket and MAF, oil and trans flush. I don't even know how I remember all this.
I may have driven the car 2000 miles in the 9 or so years I've owned it. Guards red with black interior, seats are in Okay shape but dash is cracked (Texas car). It has a rebuilt title from an engine fire sometime early in its life but that's all been fixed. It's in okay shape but like any car that sat a long time, it's going to need going through. Tires might still have 1988 air in them.
What do you think an 88 S4 auto is worth these days?
BAT and Rennlist should be a good starting point....
NB: Not that I am saying allabsil's is a ratter
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